6 scenic snowshoe destinations around Steamboat Springs

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — From open meadows to high vistas with panoramic views of mountains and frozen waterfalls, there are many scenic snowshoe hikes just minutes from downtown Steamboat Springs. You won’t encounter any lift lines out here or big crowds, but do keep in mind that snowshoe tracks damage cross-country ski tracks, so walk parallel to existing trails when possible.

Uranium Mine

This trail very close to town offers great views of Fish Creek Falls and canyon and a great workout. The trail is usually lightly-traveled and doesn’t get the crowds you would find making the trek down to the base of the waterfall or the other viewpoints. Moose also frequent this area, so keep your eyes peeled when heading up the switchbacks. The trail gains about 800 feet on the 1.5-mile trip up to the mine. To get here, take Fish Creek Falls Road to the upper parking lot for Fish Creek Falls. A $5 parking pass is required. Walk back toward the lower parking lot, and keep an eye out for the start of this trail on the right. If you hit the lower parking lot, you’ve passed the trail.

Snowshoers looking for a little less foot traffic than what is found on Emerald Mountain can take a relatively short drive south and find a scenic snowshoe path along the Yampa River. A good portion of Routt County Road 18, which leads to Sarvis Creek, is not plowed in the winter and is open to skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers. Local snowshoeing guide Karen Vail said snowshoers might encounter snowmobiles on the trail as fishing guides ferry clients up to good fishing spots. To get to this spot, head south on Colorado Highway 131 and make the left turn on Routt County Road 18 toward Lake Catamount. Stay on C.R. 18 past Catamount and continue on this road until it turns to gravel and park at the end of the winter county maintenance portion.